Vlasic in interview: "He slashed me, I just wanted to slash him back. He missed and I got him. I wasn't trying to hurt him, just trying to slash him. He's gonna push me around, I'm gonna stick up for myself, you know? I'm not gonna just let anybody push me around like that."

Dayyyumn, Pickles not mincing words.

Lost in all of this, TJ had a ****ing awesome game, so glad he was rewarded for his efforts. That was the guy DW traded for.

No way, that line's on fire right now. Burish will be the one to sit, as he was when Clowe was in the lineup.

Marleau-Couture-Wingels was absolutely terrible tonight, easily the worst of the Sharks' four forward lines. I think the scoring chance sheet will verify that when it comes out sometime tommorow. That said, there's no question that the Marleau-Couture-Wingels line has line has been our best in recent weeks, and I doubt Wingels is in any danger of being the odd man out once Torres arrives. Burish really has improved a lot in the last few games, but he is still effectively a worse version of Torres. Needless to say, Torres is not exactly revered around these parts. But he has proven himself to be a very valuable depth forward on a good team and as very capable of making an impact in the playoffs. Burish is best known for insulting Chris Pronger when being interviewed on the ice after the Hawks had just won the Cup. It's a little silly when a dude who played 5 mins/game in the playoffs is so opinionated about the surefire Conn Smythe winner had Philadelphia won. He must have been the Blackhawks' comedian, because he certainly didn't have an impact on the ice. Torres was a key part of two teams that lost in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. It's safe to say he has value in this type of situation.

Marleau-Couture-Wingels was absolutely terrible tonight, easily the worst of the Sharks' four forward lines. I think the scoring chance sheet will verify that when it comes out sometime tommorow. <snip>

Couture line had a rough night but they were playing some tough minutes against Koivu and Parise. SJ was in the lead for most of the game as well so that also needs to be taken into account.

If I were TMac I'd probably put Torres with Gomez and sit Burish, kind of a bummer for him because he's actually been playing well. Still, giving Gomez someone who can score should make that 4th line pretty dangerous.

I has a feeling that Wingels is going to be sitting next game for Torres.

No way. Desi or Burish. Marleau line has more chances than any other line since they were put together. They've also been run out against the other teams top line quite a bit. No way they get broken up.

Marleau-Couture-Wingels was absolutely terrible tonight, easily the worst of the Sharks' four forward lines. I think the scoring chance sheet will verify that when it comes out sometime tommorow. That said, there's no question that the Marleau-Couture-Wingels line has line has been our best in recent weeks, and I doubt Wingels is in any danger of being the odd man out once Torres arrives. Burish really has improved a lot in the last few games, but he is still effectively a worse version of Torres. Needless to say, Torres is not exactly revered around these parts. But he has proven himself to be a very valuable depth forward on a good team and as very capable of making an impact in the playoffs. Burish is best known for insulting Chris Pronger when being interviewed on the ice after the Hawks had just won the Cup. It's a little silly when a dude who played 5 mins/game in the playoffs is so opinionated about the surefire Conn Smythe winner had Philadelphia won. He must have been the Blackhawks' comedian, because he certainly didn't have an impact on the ice. Torres was a key part of two teams that lost in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. It's safe to say he has value in this type of situation.

Should have clarified and said "on fire lately", point is I'm not ready to break them up after one bad game. And yeah with the way TJ's been playing he's making it awfully difficult to take him off of that third line, so I agree that Torres should be on the fourth at least to start. That is some crazy forward depth, didn't think I'd ever say that this season.

Outside of Vlasic, they were definitly taking runs at Juicy. I hate to say it but someone is going to have to step up when teams start doing that. He isnt going to fight but whoever is the third cog on that line needs to push back a bit.

Outside of Vlasic, they were definitly taking runs at Juicy. I hate to say it but someone is going to have to step up when teams start doing that. He isnt going to fight but whoever is the third cog on that line needs to push back a bit.

Wingels should have. Take a huge at Brodin and the Wild would stop running around. Wouldn't surprise me if Torres is riding shotgun with Cooch and Marleau.

I love what Wingels brings, but he doesn't bring it every night consistently. Lets see if the better qualities of Torres rub off on Wingels.

Me too. Torres isn't a fighter per say but if Rupp runs at Couture..you better believe hes going to be a heat seeking missle after Brodin or Coyle. Wingels is at his best when he's skating and hitting and using his speed to create chances for himself and his linemates. He was doing this on the 3rd line and the first few games with Cooch and Marleau but aside from the Vancouver game...he hasn't done it. I love Wingels but it just seems like sometimes hes trying to play a skill game with Cooch and Marleau when thats not really his game.

Couture line had a rough night but they were playing some tough minutes against Koivu and Parise. SJ was in the lead for most of the game as well so that also needs to be taken into account.

If I were TMac I'd probably put Torres with Gomez and sit Burish, kind of a bummer for him because he's actually been playing well. Still, giving Gomez someone who can score should make that 4th line pretty dangerous.

They were hard matched with the Koivu and Parise lines, they started twice as many times in the defensive zone as offensive zone, and score effects played into the numbers very early. But yes, they were slaughtered.

I think the main reason is because they don't have a playmaker and they can't support a cycle well. They still get transition chances, which is why I believe that when the scoring chances do come out, they'll have faired fine there.